Sweden’s Gotland Prepares for Possible Russian Attack

Young conscripts and civilian defense programs are being mobilized on the Swedish island of Gotland, as fears grow that Russia may test NATO’s resolve in the Baltic Sea. Four months ago, 19-year-old Ella Adman had just finished school and had never held a gun. Now, she stands on a military base on Gotland—a strategically important Swedish island in the Baltic Sea—carrying a powerful assault rifle. In days, she will begin her first official mission: guarding Sweden’s royal family in Stockholm. Adman was initially shocked by the demands of her 15-month compulsory military service, which includes 16-hour days of training and living alongside male peers. “You find out what you are capable of and how strong you become as a group,” she said. Sweden is ramping up defense on Gotland, preparing civilian resilience initiatives and military conscripts for a potential invasion. The risk, officials warn, is that Russia may become desperate and test NATO’s commitment to the region.